parenthetical modifier
[/pəˌrenθətɪkəl ˈmɑːdɪfaɪər/]
nounpl: parenthetical modifiers
modificador parentético
1. A word, phrase, or clause that provides additional information about another word in a sentence and is set off by parentheses, commas, or dashes
The book, which won several awards, is now available in paperback.
O livro, que ganhou vários prêmios, está agora disponível em brochura.
2. An optional grammatical element that modifies a word but is not essential to the main structure of the sentence
My friend Sarah (the one I mentioned earlier) will join us tomorrow.
Minha amiga Sarah (aquela que mencionei antes) se juntará a nós amanhã.
3. In grammar, a modifier enclosed in parentheses that adds clarification or aside information without disrupting the sentence flow
The conference (held in Chicago) attracted hundreds of participants.
A conferência (realizada em Chicago) atraiu centenas de participantes.
This is a technical grammatical term used primarily in English language instruction, composition courses, and grammar textbooks in both the USA and Brazil. It reflects formal written English conventions and is essential for understanding sentence structure in academic and professional contexts. The Portuguese equivalent is commonly taught in ESL/EFL courses and advanced Portuguese grammar studies.
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